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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

NFL 2012 Q3 Report: Luck and Sanchez Cause Quarterback Confusion

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. Courtesy ESPN

Notes from the three-quarters mark of the 2012 NFL season:

1] Win or lose, the New York Giants always seem to blow big leads. It's like they get bored. Win or lose, the New Orleans Saints seem to always come back from double-digit deficits; it's like they get angry.

2] The comparisons between rookie QBs is full-blown already: Fans are split between Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, with a significant wedge for Seattle's Russell Wilson. Can't go wrong with any of them so far.

Some Luck supporters need to (subtly and nearly innocently) put Griffin down, in order to build their case. That shotgun-Wildcat-option-playaction hybrid is not built for longterm use... Luck has to throw more because he has fewer weapons than Griffin; hence, all the interceptions... These people are not really Luck guys or RGIII haters. They are establishment guys.

The Redskins are smart to use Griffin's skill set, instead of forcing him into a Luck mold. Break down the film and stats a million ways, and it adds up to two solid young QBs that are fun to watch. RGIII appears to be the type to play any style. Including the traditional drop-back quarterback that is the NFL's gold standard. He better be, or he'll be injured a quarter of every season. Defensive players of all sizes are just too strong and fast. Every play is a potential career-ender, for any player.

3] Tim Tebow would know about these things. Not one of the thirty-two teams pursued him to be a starting quarterback, even after leading the Denver Broncos to a playoff win. No one's going to risk millions, in additional to whatever job they hold, in order to build a franchise around Tebow Time. Everyone is adamant that his style would never work, but we may never know. Too many families are at stake.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has such a distaste for Tebow, he waited until TT was injured to pull the struggling Mark Sanchez. It's a harsh world. What happened to San-chise, anyway? Or was it San-chize? Whoever he is, that person needs a change of scenery. The Jets have a weird spirit hanging over the organization. But that's been true for a long time.

4] Was thinking the other week: Aside from a few exceptions, play-by-play guys and commentators get in the way. Why can't there be an "announcer mute" option on NFL's TV games, similar to the Madden series? It would be sweet to watch football with just the sounds of the crowd and players in high-def. I don't want the booth people fired or eliminated--just the option...